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Pep Guardiola in line for similar offer to Michael Jordan at Nike as Manchester City plot ambitious long-term future
Manchester City are already plotting the next steps for their affiliation to Pep Guardiola, despite remaining hopeful of an extended contract as head coach.
The 53-year-old is heading into his final season at the Etihad Stadium as part of his existing contractual agreement, with little to no indication as to whether he will further commit his future to the club or bring an end to his tenure.
Whilst there is a feeling of confidence in some areas of Manchester City’s operation in light of conversations held between Pep Guardiola, Sheikh Mansour, and Khaldoon Al Mubarak in Abu Dhabi last month, no clear decision has been made by the Catalan coach.
Some reports are already indicating a prolonged period of uncertainty, with a timeframe of between December 2024 and February 2025 mooted as a crucial period as to when Pep Guardiola is likely to inform Manchester City of his final decision.
In the meantime, the club themselves are continuing to prepare for life both with and without Pep Guardiola, with the latest report pointing towards how the organisation plans to remain affiliated to the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona boss.
According to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, Pep Guardiola could be offered a “piece” in the City Football Group, in what is being described as ‘similar to how Michael Jordan was ultimately looked after by Nike’.
While the same was offered to Lionel Messi during conversations in 2020, Guardiola is also said to be in line for a similar proposal that could see him given the opportunity to coach New York City FC in future – a city where the Catalan also owns an apartment.
Tenuous reports in 2020 concerning Lionel Messi and Manchester City went as far as to suggest that the legendary Argentine had agreed financial terms worth €700 million over the course of five years with City Football Group; three seasons at City before moving to New York.
It remains to be seen whether Manchester City would be willing to extend their pursuit of retaining Pep Guardiola to an improved pay package, with the 53-year-old already earning in the region of £20 million per year.
Guardiola is by far and away Manchester City’s most successful ever manager, having won the Premier League six of the last seven Premier League titles, and delivered the club’s first ever UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup trophies.
It remains to be seen what would happen next summer should Pep Guardiola opt to bring an end to his Manchester City reign, with the club set to compete in the newly-expanded and revamped Club World Cup in the United States, starring 32 teams.
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